We’ve Moved On Despite Political Pressure – Gov Fubara

…Tasks Reps on fairness, justice

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that the pressure mounted as a result of the political crisis in the State has been sufficiently weathered thus, giving way for his Administration to provide focused leadership and governance to the people.

He particularly said that the pressure from the unwarranted political crisis served as an enabler to strengthen his commitment to service that is now impacting lives positively in the state.

Governor Fubara, who stated these when he received in audience members of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions, led by its Chairman, Hon. Mike Etaba, at Government House in Port Harcourt on Saturday night, declared that as long as his Administration and Rivers people are concerned, there is no more political issue of note.

Fubara said; “I had seen a movie many years ago, entitled, ‘Devil’s Advocate.’ I believe some of you must have seen that movie too. One of the starring characters: Al Pacino said, pressure makes some people retreat or fail, and to others, it makes them to become focused to succeed. We have chosen to be focused under this pressure.

“That is why we are moving ahead. That is why we are making positive impact in the lives of our people. Governance is about the people. It is not about self. Governance is about touching the core needs of those people we are leading, and by the special grace of God, we are doing it,” he said.

Fubara pointed to the empowerment of about 3,066 Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) when he flagged-off the N4billion single digit loan scheme in conjunction with the Bank of Industry (BOI) Limited on Friday, as one way his Administration is improving the socio-economic dynamics of the State.

“Yesterday, by the special grace of God, we observed the credit line of over 3,066 persons empowered. You can imagine what that will do for the economy of the masses and the State. That is touching the lives of our people. It is not supporting them for selfish reasons.

“It is not giving contract because I want somebody to fight somebody in my community. No. This is empowering the economy of the masses and the State.

“Our focus is that, no matter what anybody is doing anywhere, we are not going to lose focus. We want to leave here better than we had met it. And we want to also leave here without fear of anything,” the Governor stressed.

Fubara said that it is more desirable for a public leader to relish in the accolades from the majority of the people, who by exploring the conducive climate that is provided, could feed themselves and pay school fees of their children.

According to him; “That is what we want to hear, so that when before our children, our names are mentioned when we are no more, they will say: ‘that man is a good man’.

“We will not oppress anybody. We will not force anybody against their will. We will not intimidate anybody, because intimidation has a time it expires.

“When the time of intimidation expires, even as recorded of Pharaoh in the Bible, who intimidated the children of Israel, but it got to a time that the intimidation no longer worked. So, any bad thing that has a beginning, will have an end. So, that is why I said we don’t have any problem. We have put that crisis behind us. We are looking ahead,” he assured.

The Governor stressed that Rivers State is peaceful, adding that it takes a peaceful leader to bring about such aura of peace to the State and its people.

He further said; “Leadership and respect in leadership is not earned by force. It is your style that brings respect and love. And what we are doing is to respect our people, and in turn, our people are giving us that support for leadership”.

Earlier, Chairman of the House Committee on Public Petitions, Hon. Mike Etaba, explained that they were in Port Harcourt on the basis of a petition that is before the House and referred to the Committee.

Etaba said the petitioner as “Bridge Gap Initiative”, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), petitioned in respect of some of the companies operating in the Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout of Rivers State.

He said; “These companies are Schlumberger, Halliburton, Coca Cola and International Breweries. We have met with these companies that were able to oblige us their time.

“We went round to look at the issues that made us to come, especially the pollution of the water around Oginigba River. The companies were accused of discharging dangerous effluent into the river, and also polluting the environment. That is the reason we came, and we have finished our assignment,” he said.

Etaba commended Governor Fubara on his handling of the political crisis that erupted in the State, praising him for not allowing it degenerate into violent physical clashes.

He said; “The battle of leadership comes from God Almighty. Nobody gives power. Power comes from God. If God uses any man to give you power, and that man arrogates power to himself, that man will be doing himself a disservice.

“So far, you have carried yourself as a man that has wisdom, dignity, and you are doing well. Your Excellency, don’t be distracted, what you owe dearly is to hold unto God strongly.

A statement by Nelson Chukwudi, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Rivers State said that Hon Etaba pledged his committee’s support, and urged all people of goodwill in the State to rally support and remain strong in their tenacious loyalty to Governor Fubara to enable him succeed in delivering good governance and quality leadership to Rivers people.